News and tidbits

News and tidbits

I created this site to show you interesting things and news around Lex Barker
(who else...) which have no other place or are lost easily. Some tidbits I got
from other Barker fans, something I found by myself, anyway, it's worth taking a
look at them.

Some news find their way to this site from the starting site after a while,
some are written directly here. You will find a note under Latest Updates, when I
add something new.

August 3rd 2018: Event in German Spy Museum Berlin

On Sept. 19th 2017 an event took place in the German Spy Museum in Berlin. Chief Historian Dr. Bodo Hechelhammer
talked about the cooperation of the BND (Bundesnachrichtendienst) with the film crew of "Mr. Dynamit - Morgen küßt Euch der Tod".
Since I got to know about this event just recently from a barker fan (thanks a lot again!)
I couldn't inform you earlier.

June 6th 2015: Pierre Brice passed away

On June 6th 2015 Pierre Brice, longtime bloodbrother of Lex Barker and
the one and only Winnetou of the Karl-May movies of the Sixties, passed
away in Paris, aged 86 years.

Seven times he played together with Lex in the Karl-May movies as Winnetou
and Old Shatterhand, additionally in the western "A Place called Glory".
All together he played Winnetou eleven times on the big screen, a character
which should have great effect on his further life. He will be greatly missed by
his fans!

May 2nd 2014: Efrem Zimbalist jr. passed away

On May 2nd 2014 Efrem Zimbalist Jr., one of Lex Barker's best friends, passed
away at age 95. In Germany he is best remembered for his roles in the most
successful series "77 Sunset Strip" and "The F.B.I.".

Efrem Zimbalist Jr.and Lex Barker were of the same age and went to the same
school. When in the seventies Lex' career went down Zimbalist offered him a role
in one episode of his series "The
F.B.I."..

He was often invited to different Karl-May fan events where he liked to talk
funny tales which happened while shooting these movies. He enjoyed those events
and of course he was happy of being still very popular.

A wonderful contemporary witness of those days is gone — he and his
tales will be missed!

Chris Howland on July 2012 at the Karl-May event in Berlin.

November 24th 2013: New layout of my barker site

How you can see I changed the layout hoping you will enjoy the lighter view
which I think to be more pleasant to watch.

I integrated a special view for mobile phones (upper left, though many newer
mobile devices are able to show normal websites — but I just like to play
a bit...). Additionally I added a view with high contrast and a bigger font
(upper right). I did no changes on the content, just some updates.

I wish you fun watching the new barker site!

May 11 2013: Pics from the set

A new page on the official Barker site shows pics of Christopher Barker and
Pierre Brice from an interview which was recorded for a TV clip on Lex Barker.
See here.

2012-09-27: Herbert Lom passed away

On Thursday 27th September Herbert Lom passed away at age 95. He was one of
the best Karl-May-Villains and a very good and versatile actor. We won't ever
forget his memorable performance as the "Cornel" in the Karl-May movie "Treasure of Silver Lake".

The new edition of Reiner Boller's biography about Lex Barker has now been
released by Schwarzkopf — Schwarzkopf! There are a lot of additional
statements by some contemporaries as well as not yet published pictures. For
more infos see Schwarzkopf — Schwarzkopf

March 25th 2008: Lex has got a
commemorative plaque on the "Walk of Fame" in Kanab/Utah!

Not yet Hollywood - but a great honor anyway: Lex Barker has got a
commemorative plaque on the "Walk of Fame" in Kanab in Utah. More information
and pictures are available on the official Lex-Barker website, see here!

December 2006: Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

I learned from an American Barker fan that there is a film named "Introducing
Dorothy Dandridge" in which someone playes the role of Lex Barker. This movie is
shot in 1999 and tells the life story of black actress Dorothy Dandridge
(1922-1956). The leading role is played by Halle Berry. The movie is available
on DVD.

One scene of this movie acts on the set of (Tarzan's Peril).
Melmendi (Dorothy Dandridge - Halle Berry) is captured by Bulam and Tarzan
sneaks into her tent to free her. Here you can see pictures of the actor playing
Lex' role of Tarzan. From afar he resembles Lex pretty well but don't come
closer...

First the original with Lex:

And now the new movie about Dorothy Dandridge:

This might work...

...this doesn't!!

Isn't he a bit smaller than Lex?

Wanted: Who knows this
face?

I would be very interested in knowing who played Lex Barker in this movie. He
is credited neither by imdb nor in the credits of the DVD. Informations and hints
by Mail are greatly appreciated!

Many thanks to Ted for informing me about this movie and sending
the pictures!

Thanks to Ted and Sibi the actor could be identified, see here! Many thanks to both fans who send me new infos from time to time!

I met Herrn Gottlieb at the
Karl-May-Fest 2002 in Bad Segeberg, where he was honoured with the
"Scharlih"-Award, an award for people connected to the work of Karl May. He was
a very nice man who could of course tell a lot of stories about his work. He
told for example about an argument with Artur Brauner (Producer of the
Karl-May-movies Gottlieb directed) about his salary. Gottlieb had written the
script as one unit but Brauner made two films of it. However he wanted to pay
Gottlieb and the whole crew only for one film. Gottlieb and Lex Barker had a
long lawsuit with Brauner which they won years later.

Franz Josef Gottlieb will stay in our memories as a skilled director, a
warmhearted, decent and friendly man as well as - last but not least - as one of
the rare people whe worked with Lex. He will be missed.

The picture shows (left to right) Franz Josef Gottlieb, Chris
Howland, Frau Howland and Thomas Winkler an July 28th 2002 at the Karl-May-Fest
in Bad Segeberg.